The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-12-07
c. W. LARSON
CAUSE OF Dnourn AND CYCLONES,

passage across the ocean was especially
unpleasant, because OF fogs, the only con-
ISOLATION in contemplating them being that
they represented the work OF Nature in
drawing moisture from the wates, which,
waited inland, fell upon tue soil ia re-
freshing rain, gathered in The brooks and
rivers and flowed TO the sea, to be again
thus sent back to freshen aud brighten
the parched earth.
The speed OF our vessel was materially
retarded by winds from the west, COM
mon occurrence IN the summer season I.
The fogs and moisture through these
winds are driven upon the Continent,
where drouth seldom prevails, and par
ticularly do they freshen the verdure of
Ireland, and hence the brilliant green OF
the Emerald Isle.
In rejecting upon this subject l CON
tempated the drouth then prevailing in
several of the Western and Middle States
Of tho Union. What had they to gather
rains from Alas, what have they For
a generation our farmers have been drain
ing their lands of moisture. They have
run their thing through every slough;
they have drawn out the water from
every swamp; they have dried up the
pond; they have obliterated the beautiful
little lake. In doing this they have made
such easy and rapid egress for rainfall
from the soil as to endanger the homes
and farm lands OF all the settlers along
the great rivers IN the Southern regions
of our country, already intiicting great
distress, loss OF life, and property equal
ling in value many millions of dollars
an evil which is growing in magnitude
each year.
The result of this wholesale draining of
the upper country of water is not only
thus disastrous to life and property along
the larger streams, from frequent over
flow, but there is such absolute drainage
of moisture from the earth as to produce
severe drouth, accompanied by such in
tense heat and dryness of atmosphere as
results in the hurricane, the Cyclone, and
innumerable village, prairie and forest
fires.
In the early days when the process OF
evaporation of moisture went forward
from the swamps, the ponds and lakes Of
our Western and Middle States, an ex-
tended drouth, with extremely intense
heat, was rare occurrence. In those
days sun stroke was very uncommon, and
the cyclone was comparatively unknown.
This year we are In the second season Of
dronths in various portions OF the coun-
try, while every year brings its devasta-
tion from wind, tho result OF an exces-
sively dry and frequently disturbed con-
dition OF the atmosphere.
With the lands thus denuded OF ma
tural water supply, there is but one
course for our farmers to pursue to save
themselves from these evils. They may
drain their soil, but they should gather
the rainfall In ponds and lakes, scattered
throughout their lands. Instead of run
ming the drains through and out of the
swamp, they should lead to an excava-
ton OF such size as circumstances will
permit, which should be made at q depth
OF three or four feet, where the water can
gather aud will remain throughout the
year, quenching the thirst OF animals,
giving drink to birds, reservoir 10 case
OF fire, home for fish, place Of beauty
on which one may sail the boat, an OPP
portunity for the bath and for teaching
the young people to swim. This will
yield ice Tor the family, provide skating
for the happy youth 10 winter time, and
moisture, which, through evaporation,
will pass into cloud, to DO returned again
through rainfall to The needy earth.
No fear need be entertained OF stagna-
ton from water thus held IN reserve.
Fish will of themselves purify II. Every